Railway-tie.



G. I. BATTELLE.

RAILWAY TIE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.16, 191s.

Patented Aug. 5, 1913.

BY f

WITNESSES ATTORNEY co., WASHINGTON. I) c.

G. I. BATTELLE.

RAILWAY TIE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 16, 1913.

1,069,314, Patented Aug.5, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Q' N w INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESSES COLUMBIA PLANOGRAFH c 0.. WASHINGTONTD. c.

,UNTTFAD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE I. BATTELLE, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

RAILWAY-TIE.

Application filed January 16, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE I. BATTELLE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-- Ties, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the class of railway-ties.

The objectof my invention is to provide a tie in which the rail load or stress is borne by a compact, strong, durable and sufficiently elastic composite metallic unitary tie-structure, the noise of which is deadened by a properly disposed filling.

To this end my invention consists in the novel tie, and in its unitary metallic structure, which I shall now fully describe by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of my railwaytie. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the bottomplate. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section through the bottom plate, the top plate and the longitudinal web-plate, the transverse web-plate being shown in elevation. Fig.

4 is a perspective view of the longitudinalweb-plate. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the tie, the top plates being removed, and a portion of the sound-deadening filling being shown at one end only. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view at one end of the tie. Fig. 7 is a top plan of the top-plate. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the transverse webplate. Fig. 9 is a top plan of one of the washer-clamps or rail fasteners.

1 is the bottom plate of the tie, having a length suitable for both rails 2. This plate is a single piece of steel, having a flat bottom. Tts end portions are best made wider than its middle portion, which latter may be relatively narrow for the reason that the function of said middle portion is merely that of a unit connection, while the wider end portions receive the rail stresses. The upper face of the bottom plate 1 is formed with numerous upturned ridges, ribs and flanges.

Specifically mentioned 3 indicates the border flanges of which the entire contour of the bottom plate is formed; t indicates transverse ridges; 5 shows ridges at an angle to the median longitudinal center of the plate; (5 shows ridges lying in said center line, both at the extremities and in the relatively nar- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 5,1913.

Serial No. 742,398.

row middle portion of the plate; and 7 and 7 indicate seat-ribs which lie centrally in the wider end portions of the plate and are relatively arranged in each portion in cruciform shape, the rib 7 lying in a longitudinal plane and the other 7 lying in a transverse plane. All these ribs, ridges and flanges are in such positions and of such heights as will best stiffen the bottom plate 1 and prevent it from buckling under the rail load as said load is being transferred to the ballast of the road-bed. The ribs 7 and 7 have, however, another function, namely, that of seats for the web-plates, as I shall presently describe; and to further this function, it will be noted that said ribs where they meet the The web-plates are four in number, two,

designated by 8, being longitudinal, and two, indicated by 9, being transverse with respect to the bottom plate, one longitudinal webplate and one transverse web-plate being assembled at each end portion of the bottomplate. Each longitudinal web-plate 8 is an I-beam in cross section with its ends flaring downward, its length on top being less than its length on the bottom, and the latter dimension being such that said plate is adapted to fit down upon the longitudinal seatrib 7 throughout the entire length of said rib, and to find an abutment or stop at its ends against the slightly higher cross ridges 4c; and said ends may be, if desired, notched out, as shown at 10, in Figs 4 and 5, to overlap said ridges. The width of the lower edge or foot of the longitudinal web-plate 8 conforms to that of the seat-rib '7 on which it rests, so that a firm, stable bearing is afforded. The upper edge or head of the webplate 8 is notched down at its ends, as at 11 in Fig. 4, to enable the flange of the top plate to fit over it as I shall presently describe. The sides of the head and foot of the web-plate 8 are cut out as shown at 12 in Figs. 4 andG, and said plate has a slit 13 from its upper edge downward, to enable the slitted transverse web-plate 9 to interlock with it. Each transverse webplate 9 is also of I-beam section, but is rectangular in contour. It has a slit 14, as seen in Fig. 8, made in it from its foot upward, and said plate 9 interlocks at right angles with the webplate 8, through their slits 13 and 1%. The

transverse web-plate 9 rests its foot or lower edge upon the cross rib 7 of the cruciform bearing, throughout the whole length of the rib, so that its ends find abutments or stops against the slightly higher bordenflanges 3 of the bottom plate 1.

15 is the top-plate. There are two of these, one for each end of the tie. The topplate 15 is rectangular and is formed with a downturned flange 16 around its entire border, wh'ch flange in addition to its function as a lock, serves also to stiffen said plate. This plate is of such dimensions that as it rests upon the heads or upper edges of the two web-plates 8 and 9, its border flange 16 fits down over the ends of said web-plates, and forms a further lock for all said plates. The rails 2 rest on the top-plates l5, and in order that said plate may better hold wooden shims when track shimming is necessary, its upper surface is provided with several small, sharp projections 17, as seen in Figs. (3 and 8. v

Bolts 18 are passed up from below through the bottom plate 1 and the top plates 15, as

shown in Figs. 6 and 1, on each side of the rails. The heads of these bolts are below the bottom plate and their upper ends projectii'ig through the top plates receive under the nuts 19, the washers 20 which washers also serve as rail clamps or fasteners. These washer-clamps, to perform their double function, in association with the bolts and nuts, namely, to lock or bind all the tie members together as a unit, and to clamp the rails, are of special construction. Each washer-clamp is formed with a body portion, and with a rail-binding lip 21, and each has in it a conical bolt-hole 22, Figs. 6 and S). The bearing surface 23 of the body portion of the washer-clamp on the upper surface of the top-plate 1.5, is formed on a curve of constantly lengthening radius when referred to a center at the point where the nut bears on the clamp. The clamp where the nut bears is also provided with a curved surface, as at 2a, in order that the rail may be properly gripped in any one of the positions in which it may be placed. Prior to tightening the nut there is considerable lateral freedom allowable in adjusting the rail to gage, but when the nut and washer clamp or fastener are once tightened when the rail is in proper place, any attempt to move the rail will only result in a closer clamping of said rail, by reason of the curve of the bearing of the washer-clamp on the top plate.

The effect of the flaring ends of the longitudinal web-plates 8 is to give a greater area to the plane where it transfers its stresses to the bottom plate 1, than it has where it receives them from the top-plate. Between the top and bottom plates and surrounding the webplates is placed an inert substance or filling 25, which without neces sarily serving the purpose, due to any rigidity of its own, of stiffening or strengthening the tie, all stresses are borne by the me tallic members described, is adapted for and will serve as a sound deadener. For this filler an asphaltic composition is well adapted, such, for example, as asphaltic road surface material or asphaltic concrete. This filling will relieve the tie of the objection of noise which would naturally result from the use of the metal alone, but at the same time will not increase its rigidity.

Tn practice, the several metallic members of the tie, excepting the top-plate are assembled under the rail they are to support, the bolts being in their proper positions in the bottom plate. A hot asphaltic mixture is placed on the bottom plate to a height a little greater than the tops of the web-plates and surrounding these plates. The topplate is then placed in position, and by means of the bolts, the nuts and the washerclamps the rail is firmly seated on the top plates and thus a rigid unit made of the tie and rails.

The web-plates transfer to the bottom plate, which may be considered the tie proper, the rail load which is imposed upon them through the top plate, and distribute it over as large an area as possible before calling upon the bottom plate to complete the equilibrium of disposal. by reason of the asphaltic filling the tie will be as noiseless as a wooden tie. No special tools will be required for lining or surfacing track, for this tie conforms to present day practice in having a flat, even surface in contact with the ballast. The interlocking web-plates serve to distribute a concentrated rail load over a large surface before transmitting it to the ballast. The bottom plate or tie proper is sufficiently below the rail base to allow for its protection by the ballast, and said plate by reason of its ridges, ribs and flanges will not buckle. The differential depths of the ridges and flanges and the seat ribs, together with the flange of the top plates, cause the tie to act as a unit without further fabrication, when the nuts are tightened on the washer clamps or fasteners. This tie, in case of accident, will not be completely destroyed. It will need but the renewal of minor parts to be again useful. The washer-clan'ips permit the gage to be widened on curves and at the same time prevent the gage from being widened except by loosening the nuts. The border flange of the top plates stiffens them and prevents them from buckling. 'l he sharp projections on the top-plates will not permit the displacement of wooden shims by the wave action of the rail.

1. A. railway-tie comprising a metallic bottom plate; metallic rail-bearers supported upon said bottom plate near each end thereof; means for locking said plate and rail-bearers together as a unit; and a sounddeadening filling supported on the bottom plate and enveloping the rail bearers.

2. A railway-tie comprising a metallic bottom plate; metallic top-plates one for each rail; metallic web-plates supporting said top plates, and support-ed by said bottom plate near each end thereof, means for locking all said plates together as a unit; and av sound-deadening filling between the bottom plate and top plates and enveloping the web-plates.

3. In a railway-tie, a metallic tie-structure comprising a bottom-plate; top-plates one for each rail; webplates supporting said top-plates, and supported by said bottom plate near each end thereof; and means for looking all of said plates together as a unit, consisting of bolts extending between and through the bottom and top plates and nuts on said bolts.

4. In a railway-tie, a metallic tie-structure comprising a bottom plate; top plates one for each rail; web-plates supporting said top-plates, and supported by said bottom plate near each end thereof; means for locking said plates together as a unit; and means operated by said locking means for fastening the rails on the top plates.

5. A railway-tie comprising a metallic bottom-plate; metallic top-plates one for each rail; metallic web-plates supporting said top plates and supported by said bottom plate near each end thereof; means for locking all said plates together as a unit;-

means operated by said locking means for fastening the rails on the top plates; and a sounddeadening filling between the bottom plate and top plates and enveloping the webplates.

6. In a railway-tie, a metallic tie-structure comprising a bottom-plate; top plates one for each rail; web-plates supporting said top-plates and supported by said bottom plate near each end thereof; bolts passing between and through the bottom and top plates; washerclamps fitted on said bolts and bearing on the top plates, said clamps having a rail-fastening lip; and nuts on the bolts to tighten the clamp-lips on the rails and to look all the Plates together as a unit.

7. In a railway-tie, a metallic tie-structure comprising a bottom-plate; top plates one for each rail; web-plates supporting said top-plates and supported by said bottom plate near each end thereof; bolts passing between and through the bottom and top plates; washer-clamps fitted on said bolts and having a rail-fastening lip, said clamps being formed with a curved tightening lower face bearing on the top plates and a conical bolt-hole; and nuts on the bolts to tighten the clamp-lips on the rails and to lock all the plates together as a unit.

8. In a railway-tie, a metallic tiestructure comprising a bottom-plate; top plates, one for each rail; cruciform web-plates supported by the bottom plate near each end thereof, and carrying the top-plates; and means for looking all said plates together as a unit.

9. In a railway-tie, a metallic tiestructure comprising a bottom plate; top plates, one for each rail; pairs of separate slitted webplates interlocked in cruciform shape, one pair near each end of the bottom plate and supported thereby, each of said pairs of webplates carrying a top-plate; and means for locking all said plates together as a unit.

10. In a railway-tie, a metallic tie-structure comprising a bottom plate; top plates, one for each rail; pairs of separate slitted web-plates interlocked in cruciform shape, one pair near each end of the bottom plate and supported thereby, each of said pairs of web-plates carrying a top-plate; and means for looking all said plates together as a unit, consisting of bolts passing between and through the bottom and top plates and nuts on said bolts.

11. In a railway-tie, a metallic tie-structure comprising a bottom plate; top plates, one for each rail; pairs of separate slitted webplates interlocked in cruciform shape, one pair near each end of the bottom plate and supported thereby, each of said pairs of web-plates carrying a top-plate; and means for looking all said plates together as a unit, and fastening the rails to the top-plates consisting of bolts passing between and through the bottom and top plates, washer-clamps on the bolts, bearing on the rails and nut-s to tighten the bolts and washer-clamps.

12. In a railway-tie, a metallic tie-struc-, ture, comprising a bottom plate with uprising border flanges, and stiffening ridges, and formed near each end with cruciform seat-ribs, the upper surfaces of which are lower than the upper surfaces of the flanges and ridges which said ribs join; pairs of separate slitted webplates interlocked in cruciform shape, one pair resting upon the seat ribs at each end of the bottom plate and locked by the adjoining higher flanges and ridges; a top-plate carried by each pair of web-plates, said top plates having a downturned border flange fitting over and locking the tops of the web-plates; and means for locking all said plates together as a unit.

13. In a railway-tie, a metallic tie-structure, comprising a bottom plate with uprising border flanges, and stiffening ridges, and formed near each end with cruciform seat-ribs, the upper surfaces of which are lower than the upper surfaces of the flanges and ridges which said ribs join; pairs of separate slitted web-plates interlocked in cruciform shape, one pair resting upon the seat ribs at each end of the bottom plate and locked by the adjoining higher flanges and ridges; a top-plate carried by each pair of web-plates, said top plates having a down-turned border flange fitting over and looking the tops means for looking all said plates together as a unit, consisting of bolts passing between and through the bottom and top plates and nuts on said bolts.

14:. In a railway-tie, a metallic tie-structure, comprising a bottom plate with uprising border flanges, and stiltening ridges, and formed near each end with cruciform seatribs, the upper surfaces of which are lower than the upper surfaces of the flanges and ridges which said ribs join; pairs of separate slitted web-plates interlocked in cruciform shape, one pair resting upon the seat ribs at each end of the bottom plate and locked by the adjoining higher flanges and ridges; a top-plate carried by each pair of web-plates, said top plates having a downturned border tinge fitting over and looking the tops of the web-plates; and means for locking all said plates together as a unit, and fastening the rails to the top-plates consisting of bolts passing between and through the bottom and top plates, washer-clamps on the bolts bearing on the rails, and nuts to tighten the bolts and washereclamps.

15. In a railway-tie, a metallic tie-structure, comprising a bottom plate with uprising border flanges, and stiflening ridges,

of the web-plates; and

\ seat ribs at each end of the bottom plate and and formed near each end with cruciform seat-ribs, the upper surfaces of which are lower than the upper surfaces of the flanges and ridges which said ribs join; pairs of separate slit-ted Web-plates interlocked in cruciform shape, one pair resting upon the locked by the adjoining higher flanges and ridges; a top-plate carried by each pair of web-plates, said top plates having a downturned border flange fitting over and locking the tops of the web-plates; and having also sharp projecting points on their upper surfaces; and means for looking all said plates together as a unit.

16. In a railway-tie, a metallic tie-structure, comprising a bottom plate; top plates, one for each rail; cruciform web-plates supported by the bottom plate near each end thereof and carrying the top-plates, said cruciform web-plates having that member which lies longitudinally of the bottom plate formed with ends flaring downward beyond the border planes of the top plates; and means for looking all said plates together a unit.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE I. BATTELLE.

lVitnesses NM. F. Boo'rn, D. B. RICHARDS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

